That said, if people are interested, I propose a proof of concept experiment that doesn't require new infrastructure. Why don't we start a new thread and post our modifications to the pbp for charges drawn, other things we want to track, and inaccuracies.
I think that's a decent experiment. The only thing I'd say is that in the playoffs, the problem of access to every game isn't as much of a problem. Except for the NBATV games every game is broadcast nationally. Theoretically I could tape every game and just go through them myself (after all, there aren't that many charges and with the help of the play by play you can just flip through to the right time). So you're not as much in need of an open source system.
But putting that aside I think that's a good experiment and worth a shot.
Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 88 Location: Charleston, SC
Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 5:32 pm Post subject:
Any word on if the NBA plans to sell games for a decent price online like they're offering for this year's playoffs? $79 or something for all games might be worth it if someone has the time.
Joined: 03 Jan 2005 Posts: 660 Location: Washington, DC
Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 5:57 pm Post subject:
mikez wrote:
One item that may interest people reading this thread is that the scorers' table at most (if not all - I think it's rolled out everywhere but am not positive) NBA games now has a video replay machine so the official scorers can go back & watch any play they want, even while play continues. Regardless of where the scorers are sitting one would imagine this would help improve scorers' accuracy, assuming they use it (ours do, frequently). This is new for this season & was introduced arena-by-arena over the course of this year - we have not found any significant systematic change in our home scorers' accuracy on any one particular stat (versus all the others) following introduction of the machine, but other teams might have.
If I can find out roll-out dates for various arenas I'll post them here & some of you can play with this decent natural experiment. The big problem, of course, is that affecting the impact of the thing is the fact that there may be differing rates of use of the machine, and you won't be able to observe this variable from any data I can get.
-MZ
While I think a replay machine for the scorers table isn't a bad idea, I think it'll have limited effect on increasing the accuracy of the stats. Using the replay requires that the scorer have a notion that he's missed the play. What I'm seeing when I've tracked awarding of assists (for example) is over-rewarding and bias (same pass is called an assist for one player and not for another). Or, the rewarding of a steal. If the scorer thinks he got the play, he's not likely to check the replay -- there'd be no point.
In addition, I used to track defense with just pen & paper. But I soon found that my totals didn't match the official totals (on checkable stats), which was pretty annoying. So, I started tracking by writing my notes directly on a printout of the play-by-play and started seeing the errors, bias, etc. in the pbp. I can't think of a solution to increase accuracy other than having someone review tape with a pbp in hand. _________________ My blog
I'm new to the board and am enjoying the conversation regarding basketball stat keeping. I've never scored a basketball game, though I own a couple of stat keeping books. I watch it on TV when I can. One of the things that's always intrigued me as far as network TV coverage goes, is that although there are certain stats (i.e team possessions, charges taken, etc.) that aren't covered, one of the crack stat guys can ALWAYS come up with some obscure stat fact that sometimes encompasses the latter.
Also, whenever a team goes through scoring droughts, turnovers or such how often do you see a graphic about said team's last five possessions, or their shooting for a quarter or a half? I remember when Shane Battier played at Duke, and ESPN, with the help of the Duke basketball staff and media tracked the amount of charges he took. So it can defeinitely be done. How can it be a more common thing, than simply touting facts and figures?
What I'd like to see is less focus on the things we ALREADY know. And a focus on things that more intrigues the viewer. I've watched football games where a graphic will come up regarding a receiver, how many times he was thrown to, and how many catches he made. In basketball, I've seen graphics where they'll track how a player like a Tim Duncan for example, is guarded. They'll show Duncan's field goal numbers against all of the players guarding him and his point totals.
I think that basketball overall can be better scored if more of a commitment is made towards ELEVATING the way we VIEW it. That's where I want to thank you guys for what you all do. In reading John Hollinger's "Pro Forecast" and reading up on other alternative stat projection techniques, I'll definitely be looking at basketball different from now on. _________________ LOOK OUT BELOW!!! WITH NO REGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE!!
Joined: 14 Jan 2005 Posts: 1494 Location: Delphi, Indiana
Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 5:47 am Post subject:
Kevin, some of us actually believe that the game might be played a bit better if better statistics were kept. Players getting their 'just due' for the unrecorded stuff (like charges drawn, picks set, etc) would make a coach's job easier, raising the competitive level perhaps.
Before 1978, turnovers were not kept (except in the ABA). For the first few years thereafter, some guys had a lot more than their share: Ray Williams and Kevin Porter come to mind. So there was some concrete reason these guys tended not to win. Since we've known which players commit the turnovers, TO frequency has steadily declined.
It may be a pipe dream, but someday stats may evaluate players well enough that their salaries can be based on them. In a free market, an owner can pay as much as he wants, but a player would have a known 'value', based on his body of work. _________________ 40% of all statistics are wrong.
All times are GMT - 5 Hours Goto page Previous1, 2, 3
Page 3 of 3
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
